Thank you for changing lives

We're giving trainee teachers who start at Bath Spa University this September a £500 Thank You Scholarship for choosing to become a teacher.

Outstanding teachers make a difference to the lives and futures of the people they teach. Embedded within our partnership with schools, this Ofsted Outstanding-rated programme will support you to become an innovative and inspiring Secondary English teacher.

Our full-time PGCE Secondary English course spans from the beginning of September to the beginning of July. You'll gain experience in a wide variety of schools including primary and special schools. The programme is structured to ensure that you acquire expertise in core teaching skills and attributes, but also contains enough flexibility to allow you to individualise your training during professional development weeks.

You'll graduate with a PGCE with QTS and 60 Master's Level Credits - these can contribute to a full Master's qualification to further develop your professional and academic expertise.

What you'll learn

Overview

At the heart of the PGCE Secondary programme is the notion of the teacher as a reflective practitioner. The course nurtures and develops a reflective approach to teaching and learning, and encourages BSTs (Bath Spa Teachers) to take a critical stance in their work. The Professional Studies programme is at the core of the PGCE Secondary programme, which integrates both University and partnership training.

You'll be organised in mixed subject groups, positioning you as a BST in the broader context of professional practice. The key generic and pedagogical issues addressed take you beyond the confines of the traditional subject curriculum.

#The PGCE year starts with an initial preparatory period which tackles the notion of the role of the teaching professional, with an emphasis on the English practitioner. Through Professional Studies, and subject and pedagogical teaching modules, you'll begin to develop an understanding of the breadth of the role of the teacher as well as becoming familiar with the subject knowledge, skills, and pedagogies associated with your own particular subject.

Throughout the PGCE year, you'll track your experiences. Towards the end of the programme, you'll have the opportunity to undertake your own personalised professional development, through the opportunity to experience situations you have not yet come across. These may include schools in challenging circumstances, or working with pupils with English as an additional language - depending on the setting you have worked most closely with thus far. Furthermore, these weeks offer you the opportunity to enrich your profile, for example by teaching a subsidiary subject or specialising in working with pupils with special educational needs.

Course components

The PGCE Secondary programme consists of seamless training both at the University and in school. There are two assessed phases in school – one lasting seven weeks, and the other lasting 14 weeks.

Prior to these are University sessions involving subject pedagogies and knowledge which link to schools through direct classroom sessions.

The Professional Studies programme dovetails both school and University training.

How will I be assessed?

A personalised process of continuous assessment ensures that learning is appropriate and effective. There are five progress review points throughout the PGCE year, which take the form of individual tutorials with your Academic Tutor to monitor your progress and set individual targets for the next phase of training.

The PGCE Secondary programme is a continuous and open assessment of your progress across all aspects of the training: Subject Studies, Professional Studies and school-assessed phases. Three assignments are offered at Level 7 (Postgraduate award) through which you can gain 60 Master's level credits to put towards further part-time study at the University.

How will I be taught?

The PGCE programme is distinguished by the knowledge and experience of the Ofsted "Outstanding" team of academic tutors, who are complemented by expert school-based mentors and trainers. Bath Spa University’s Institute for Education has over 70 years’ experience of delivering high quality training for teachers and is recognised as one of the leading providers in the country.

You'll be taught in mixed subject groups for Professional Studies, and in smaller subject groups for subject sessions. In addition, you'll be involved in whole cohort sessions and will benefit from individual tutorials five times a year. In both assessed school phases, you'll work closely with your school-based mentors and trainers. Your academic tutor in your subject specialism will be your individual academic and pastoral tutor throughout your PGCE year.

Opportunities

Careers

This Secondary PGCE programme produces outstanding teachers with the relevant skills, knowledge, understanding and experiences necessary to face the challenges of the twenty-first century teacher.

On successful completion of the programme, you'll be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Level 7), with a recommendation to the National College of Teaching and Leadership for the award of Qualified Teacher Status. This enables qualified Bath Spa Teachers to apply for a wider range of teaching posts and other education-based employment.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

As a Bath Spa Teacher, you'll learn in a variety of locations within our wide partnership, both at the University and in schools.

University teaching takes place in rooms equipped with relevant texts, equipment, training materials, and electronic resources.

Fees

UK and EU students full time

Course fees

International students full time

Course fees

2018/19 entry

£12,900

2019/20 entry

Published Jan 2019

2020/21 entry

Published Jan 2020

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

You’ll need to be suited to the teaching profession both personally and academically. We look for committed individuals with a professional approach and an exceptional work ethic. You’ll need to be organised, flexible and unflappable, as well as being able to communicate, interact and relate well to everyone. When entering the teaching profession, having strong emotional resilience and a sense of humour will give you the edge.

Academic requirements

In order to apply you'll need to have completed, or be in the final year of a UK degree (or an equivalent qualification). You’re required to have a 2:2 honours degree or above, with at least 50% English, such as English Language, English Literature, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Theatre or Media Studies. Joint degrees must have a text-based second subject. Together with this, you need a good English A-Level.

You'll also need GCSE passes at grade C or above (or recognised equivalents) in English and Mathematics. In addition, for some Secondary programmes you are also required to have an A-level in the subject.

Non-academic requirements

You'll need to support your application with an academic reference.

All applicants are subject to a number of checks designed to maintain the integrity of the teaching profession. You'll be required to attend an interview, complete Professional Skills Tests and undergo DBS checks. You may also need to enrol on a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.